4 Sunscreens That Don't Leave A White Cast On My Olive Skin
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
A while ago, I wrote about my go-to sunscreen for olive skin and why it is so important for our POC community, whether you say People of Colour or Person of Colour, to wear sunscreen religiously just like everyone else.
After the article was posted on our Facebook page, I was overwhelmed to see so many comments from the POC community tagging loved ones and urging them to read it and take SPF seriously.
It honestly made me choke up because this issue is close to my heart, and it felt like I had made a small difference.
Another major reason many in my POC community avoid sunscreen is the dreaded white cast.
I grew up in the '90s, so I get it.
Our parents smeared our faces with sunscreens that left us looking like ghosts and wide open to playground bullying, which was not a great feeling as a brown kid who already felt out of place.
Thankfully, formulas have come a long way, and today's sunscreens blend seamlessly into melanin-rich skin.
As a Beauty Editor and proud POC, I’ve tested an array of sunscreens designed with advanced, skin-loving formulas that leave an invisible, undetectable finish on our complexions.
So if you want to avoid the cringe-worthy experience of swatching a bunch of sunscreens in a store around other people to see which ones actually blend into your skin - I've got you.
Here are just four tried-and-tested sunscreens you can add to cart right now knowing they will work on darker skin tones.
Best Sunscreen for Dark Skin Australia.
Friends, here’s your foolproof ticket to protected and non-chalky skin...
1. AB LAB by Adore Beauty Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk.
Good for: Dry skin.
At the moment, this is the sunscreen for darker skin I have on highest rotation and currently using.
It’s the one I love most under makeup too.
Reason being it leaves a dewy finish that doesn’t look greasy.
It instantly melts into the skin and there is minimal if any “rubbing in time”.
It also contains a bunch of antioxidant ingredients like vitamin C and kakadu plum in its formula so I feel better knowing I have that added protection.
Dry skin havers, your skin will very much appreciate the hyaluronic acid and glycerin in the formula too.
A do-it-all SPF, it protects and hydrates!
It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
2. Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+ Ultralight SKINSCREEN.
Good for: Those with oily or sensitive skins or those who prefer a fragrance-free SPF.
This ultra-light (actually the lightest formula in the Ultra Violette range) fragrance-free sunscreen contains niacinamide which is one of my favourite ingredients (also great during summer for calming and balancing the skin).
It also contains 'Ascorbyl Glucoside' which is a high-strength oil soluble vitamin C as well as vitamin E which is not only an antioxidant, it also nourishes the skin.
There’s also another key ingredient in this sunscreen, BEAUACTIVE® - a new active designed to increase collagen and reduce the production of dark spots.
Which is music to my ears—because dark spots are a familiar struggle for many in my family (and in the POC community).
So any extra inhibitors or help in this department is very welcome.
The texture is really silky making it glide over the skin with ease and feels lovely to apply.
It sinks in beautifully and while it still leaves a luminous finish behind, it’s not as dewy as the AB LAB Dewy-C.
So if you prefer less shine but still want skin to look radiant under makeup - this is for you.
3. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+
Good for: Travel.
This sunscreen was solely responsible for making me WANT to wear SPF every.day.
I don't know one darker skin individual who has a complaint about this SPF leaving any trace of a white veil or chalky feeling behind.
Much like the others on this list, it also has more of a runny, silky consistency and doesn't feel goopy to apply.
Another thing I would say about this SPF is it’s probably the most travel-friendly sunscreen out of the bunch.
Its sleek, compact and non-glass packaging makes it perfect to pack and there’s no risk of breaking in transit.
4. Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50+ 50ml Luminising SKINSCREEN™.
Ok let’s start with the small caveat first.
I would say out of all the four sunscreens, this is the one that when you first apply it, you might say, “Sadaf you liar! I've massaged this in, and it’s left a white cast.”
NO. Keep going.
This one takes a little more time to work into the skin, but once done properly - is invisible.
I also much prefer its renovated formula.
I find it to be more silky and malleable, and while the old formula was still brown skin-friendly, I would touch my face an hour of wear and it would feel a bit chalky.
But in terms of leaving an obvious white cast - none. Zilch. I promise (the above video is further proof).
It does also come with a subtle rose scent which I like because I don't want to smell like “sunscreen” - but if you prefer a fragrance-free SPF - steer clear of this one.
Whats the difference between Fave Fluid and Queen Screen?
From the Ultra Violette website:
Queen has a soft rose scent and luminous finish, whereas Fave is fragrance free with a soft, natural finish. Both have super lightweight textures, but Fave is *just* a little bit more water-like.
Finally...
Consider this your loving reminder, that you should be wearing sunscreen every day and not just because it’s the most powerful product (yes even more than vitamin A) in slowing down accelerated signs of ageing, but also for helping protect you from skin cancer.
Please also make sure you are always seeking shade and wearing protective clothing. Sunscreen is only one part of sun safety.
Let’s protect our beautiful melanin like everyone else!
For more ways to keep your skin healthy and protected this summer, read these BIQs next:
